(2.0 credits of fine/applied arts are required for graduation)
The following courses offer a wide range of exposure within the Fine and Applied Arts. The faculty of the Fine Arts Department suggest that students choose a variety of offerings under this listing to broaden their experiences and skills within the arts.
Talent does what it can; genius does what it must.”
Edward George,
Bulwer-Lytton
(1803-1873)
Journals will be required in all disciplines of the Visual Arts
and must be purchased by the students. Additional lab fees for the
purchase of personal tools and materials in the upper level courses, Art II
though IB Visual Arts HL, may be incurred.
One semester; 0.5 credit (offered both semesters); Grades 9-12
Credit/Degree of Difficulty: Regular
Homework: Average
Prerequisite: None
This required foundations course
offers an exploration of the many fields
in the visual arts. Studies reinforcing
the art elements and principals of
design will be demonstrated both in
studio and journal exercises. Students
will experience a variety of two and
three-dimensional techniques and
multiple mediums in the areas of:
drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics,
printmaking, and batik. Techniques for
digital photo and building a portfolio
will be introduced. Each focus area
will emphasize critiquing methods
for formulating good composition and
design that can span visual needs in the
arts and other academic areas. Students
will be introduced to various periods
of art history, and culture, in studio
and journal applications throughout
the semester.
One semester; 0.5 credit (offered both semesters); Grades 9-12
Credit/Degree of Difficulty: Regular
Homework: Average
Prerequisite: Art I Foundations
These courses are each a full semester
with students choosing areas of focus.
Students are encouraged to experience
as many disciplines in the Visual Arts as
possible but are advised to choose their
greatest interest area in preparation
for further course work at a more
advanced level. Art history, culture,
and critiquing methods using the art
elements and principals of design will
be included in all disciplines.
Recommended Equipment: 35 mm manual camera
This beginning course is designed
to introduce students to the 35 mm
camera - what it is, what it is not
and how to use it. Students work
to begin “seeing” through the lens
- studying composition and design -
and to produce their own high quality
photographs. The course includes an
introduction to the black and white
darkroom (developing black and
white film, making contact sheets and
enlarging from negatives.) Readings
& historical research, classroom
discussions and various photo shoot
assignments are an integral part of
the course.
Students will practice basic life drawing and painting skills in a variety of media:
graphite, charcoal, pastel, watercolor, acrylic, and oil pastel. Additional exposure
will include relief printing, remazol batik, and mixed media sculpture techniques.
Required Equipment: Sketchbook and clay tools
This class introduces basic skills in
ceramics and sculpture combined
in a semester course. A variety of
mediums such as paper, clay, and
plaster are explored while focusing
on art elements and design principles
that relate to ceramics and sculpture.
Students are introduced to ceramics/
sculpture throughout art history and
learn to recognize important features
from certain art periods and artists.
One semester; 0.5 credit (offered both semesters); Grades 10-12
Credit/Degree of Difficulty: Regular
Homework: Average-Heavy (Additional studio time required)
Prerequisite: Art II with B- or higher
Partially fulfills IB Visual Arts Standard Level and Higher Level requirement, Year 1 (IB Honors Visual Arts also needed).
This course is a prerequisite for IB Honors Visual Arts and is the first
semester of the IB Art sequence. These courses are each a full semester
and focus on the visual art discipline of choice. Further studies in art
history, culture, critiquing methods using the art elements and principles
of design will be re-emphasized in all coursework. These classes are for
students with a firm commitment to the visual arts.
Recommended Equipment: 35 mm manual camera
This course is designed for students
who have taken Art II - photography,
have confidence in their darkroom,
camera and research skills and are
committed to serious study and some
individual, independent work. The
course encourages students to continue
to develop skills in the darkroom and
with black & white photographic
techniques. Students will also be
exposed to collage, mixed media and
printmaking. Through a combination
of structured study (assigned photo
shoots, research, class discussions,
mixed and multi-media work) and
individual themes and interests,
the students will produce a quality
workbook, a portfolio and an exhibit
of their work.
Students will develop greater skills
in drawing and painting with greater
emphasis on the figure as well as
still life in various media: graphite,
charcoal, pastel, watercolor, acrylic,
and oil pastel. Additional exposure
will include intaglio and/or silk
screen printing, napthol batik, additive
sculpture techniques and sketching on
location.
Ceramics/Sculpture media and
techniques are explored further as
they relate to the art elements and
principles of design. The emphasis
will be on developing techniques and
competence both in hand building
and wheel throwing. Design problem
solving using three-dimensional
approaches is stressed. The study of
art styles throughout history, as they
relate to both traditional and modern
sculpture and ceramics, is emphasized
for personal development.
One Semester; 0.5 credit; Grades 11-12; Semester 2 only
Credit/Degree of Difficulty: Honors
Homework: Heavy (Additional studio time is required.)
Prerequisite: Art III with B- or higher
Partially
fulfills IB Visual Arts Standard Level and Higher Level requirements, Year 1 (Art III also needed).
Students will come together from Art III, including Architecture, to culminate
knowledge and experiences in their various disciplines that will lead
them into their more independent
and advanced art pursuits. Students
will explore exercises in composition and design, color theory, and art
history throughout the ages in order to support their more individualized
development.
One year; One credit, Grade 12
Credit/Degree of Difficulty: Honors(SL)/Advanced(HL)
Homework: Heavy (Additional studio time required.)
Prerequisites: Art III and IB Honors Visual Arts with B- or higher
Fulfills IB Visual Arts Standard Level or Higher Level requirements, Year 2
This course is designed for highly
motivated students committed to
a serious study in art. It will offer
students the opportunity to prepare
a portfolio for personal satisfaction,
university entrance, or for the IB
external examinations. This course
is highly independent with students
developing their course of study
with the addition of some group and
individualized facilitation, direction
and critiques. Emphasis is placed on
aesthetic design concepts, cultural
connections, support through the
knowledge of art history, and creative
techniques and applications within
chosen disciplines. The course will
conclude with a final exhibition of
finished works.
*Note for IB Diploma or Certificate
Candidates in Higher Level: This is a
highly demanding course of study. Art
students will be expected to provide
a portfolio of 12 – 20 finished works
as well as: an additional portfolio of
support visuals/experimentations;
journals documenting research; and a
workbook to support personal pursuits
accumulated throughout their two-year
focus in the IB.
*Note for IB Standard Level candidates:
This is a less demanding course of
study under the IB Art syllabus.
Students will provide documentation of
extensive research in their journal, OR
place emphasis on studio experiences
while providing a portfolio of 12
finished works as well as a journal of
support materials.
One year; One credit; Grades 10-12
Credit/Degree of Difficulty: Regular
Prerequisite: Technical Drawing 1
Homework: Average
This is a basic course in architectural
drafting and design. It helps students
learn the fundamental skills and
knowledge necessary for architectural
planning, designing and drawing for
light construction. The main thrust
of the architecture class is to show
students how to prepare architectural
drawings that will effectively and
accurately communicate ideas and
designs to clients, contractors and
construction workers. This course
ends with the making of a scale model
of a house.
One semester; 0.5 credit (offered both semesters); Grades 9-12
Credit/Degree of Difficulty: Regular
Prerequisite: None
Homework: Average
This course will provide basic
knowledge needed to pursue a career
in engineering, architecture, drafting,
interior design or fashion. Students will
study the line and symbol languages
of mechanical drawings which enable
engineers and draftsmen to explain
ideas concisely and clearly. The
areas to be covered are orthographic
projections, lettering, dimensioning,
perspective drawing and pictorial
drawing.
One semester; 0.5 credit (offered both semesters); Grades 10-12
Credit/Degree of Difficulty: Regular
Prerequisite: Technical Drawing 1
Homework: Average
This course covers many of the same essential elements as Tech Drawing 1 but in greater depth. Additionally, the basic elements of the metric system are introduced. A practical project is required at the end of the semester.
One semester; 0.5 credit (offered both semesters); Grades 10-12
Credit/Degree of Difficulty: Regular
Prerequisite: Art 1 - Foundations
Homework: Average
Students plan visual presentations for such things as CD jackets, advertisements, brochures, package designs, magazine covers and posters. Students research a problem, work out sketches called "roughs" and then prepare detailed drawings which include lettering, sketches of all artwork, and any combination of the above.
One Year; One credit, Grade 9-12
Credit/Degree of Difficulty: Regular
Prerequisite: ESL students must be at ESL Resource or above. All participants must demonstrate grade-level proficiency with writing and have an interest in design.
Homework: Average (Heavy around deadlines.)
Students will experience all aspects
of production of the high school
yearbook. They will decide upon a
theme, create layouts with emphasis
on the elements and principal of
design, submit edited copy and sell
advertising for the publication. They
will become proficient with Adobe
InDesign and PhotoShop and will
submit final layouts on CD. They
will gain experience with cuttingedge
(Macintosh) computers as this
is the design industry standard. Their
product will be the Harimau. They
will also submit copy and design for
a variety of other publications.
Students may take this course for art
credit, provided they first take Art I
- Foundations. Students who have not
taken Art I Foundations may take this
course for a general elective. An ability
to adhere to deadlines and a high level
of motivation is also necessary. The
course may be taken for as many as
six semesters.
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